Ever wonder why we veterinarians perform necropsies? Postmortem exam and dissection of a deceased animal certainly isn’t the most pleasant of activities—many a stomach has been turned by the sights and smells encountered during a necropsy. Plus, it’s a physical challenge and a two- or three-person job to complete one on a 1,000 lb horse! […]
The Glowing Brain
Polioencephalomalacia or cerebrocortical necrosis is a neurological disease seen in ruminants for a variety of reasons. The most common being thiamine deficiency, salt toxicity, and sulfur intoxication. Animals typically present with blindness, followed by inability to stand, seizures, opisthotonos, and eventually coma. Depending on the cause, recovery is often possible as long as intervention is […]
The Highs and Lows of Life on Pathology
Pathology has a reputation for being the most easy-going of rotations. I found that to be true! Not only did the reasonable hours (8 am – 5 pm) allow me to catch up on sleep, but we also had first pick of the Pathology candy bowl, a hospital institution much appreciated by sleep- and food-deprived […]
